Mitchell Johnson remains a once in a generation bowler more than a decade after he was first spotted by Dennis Lillee as a 17-year-old. No other fast man has been able to copy his successful left-arm method that mixes bouts of waywardness with spot-on strike-power. Off the field he is so shy that it is hard to believe he has taken on the role as Australia's chief marksman, a weapon capable of hitting batsmen and 155kph.

An athlete who started out preferring tennis, Johnson was late to focus on cricket and suffered early in his career with four back stress fractures that almost floored him for good. He persevered, driving a plumbing van when he lost his Queensland contract, and became only the fourth Australian left-arm paceman to pass 100 Test wickets. With a strong, flowing run to the crease, Johnson can become mechanical in delivery, especially if his wrist, a long-term concern, is in the wrong position. When it's bad, he sprays the ball on both sides of the wicket like an old-fashioned firebrand. When it's perfect, there is probably no better bowler in the game.

The late swing at pace is a major problem, along with sharp bounce, and sometimes it's just the angle across the batsmen that undoes them. South Africa suffered the most brutal spells in 2008-09 while England's run-makers enjoyed his wonkiest ones during the 2009 Ashes. Whatever his mood, he has become a must-have for Ricky Ponting since debuting in 2007 - and that's before considering his batting.

Johnson's belief in his run-making is so strong that he would like to open in Twenty20s or one-dayers in the future, and he will always be able to claim his Test average was 99.00 after five games. His style is smooth enough for a specialist and when he nails a big swing it looks as effortless as Ernie Els on the golf course. The owner of a Test hundred and a 96, both against the might of South Africa, he will be mildly miffed if he doesn't finish his career as a genuine allrounder.Peter English

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Timeline

1998-99 Talent spotted

While bowling at a Pace Australia camp Johnson, who likes tennis more, is watched by an excited Dennis Lillee. Lillee immediately phoned Rod Marsh, who was then the Australian Academy head coach, and Johnson was quickly headed to Adelaide and the national under-19 team.

November 1-4, 2001 Brave entry

In his first-class debut for Queensland at the Gabba, Johnson takes three wickets against New Zealand. However, the lasting mark is of him entering at No. 11 and hitting his fifth ball for six.

2003-04 Downs and ups

Plays his maiden one-day and Shield matches for Queensland but his back is a problem again and he succumbs to a fourth stress fracture. He loses his state contract, drives a plumbing van, and briefly considers giving up the game. The recovery begins when he gets through the 2004-05 season with the Bulls and is called up for Australia A's tour of Pakistan.

A surprise selection for the one-day series in New Zealand, he debuts in Christchurch and goes for 64 in nine overs. At the time his best first-class figures in 12 first-class games were 5 for 43, and he had to wait a year for his next ODI.

March 24-28, 2006 Domestic bliss

Named Man of the Match for taking ten wickets in the domestic final, including 6 for 51 in the second innings, to give Queensland the title. The performance helps earn a spot on Australia's tour of Bangladesh and he plays three one-day games.

September-October 2006 Firing up

A tournament in Malaysia is the venue for Johnson to show his potential and he carries on the form in the Champions Trophy. By the end of the one-day tours he has picked up the memorable wickets of Tendulkar, Dravid, Lara and Pietersen. Throughout the home summer he is 12th man for all five Ashes Tests and goes to the World Cup but doesn't play a game.

After a bumpy ride his debut comes at home against Sri Lanka at the Gabba. His arrival has been trumpeted so loudly that when he makes it - at the fresh age of 26 - he is slightly underwhelming. He looks nervous, unsure and struggles with his action, but still returns eight wickets in his opening two games.

December 17-21, 2008 WACA warrior

A career-best 8 for 61 in Perth, including 5 for 2 in 21 balls of fear, stamps him as the emerging attack leader. The stunning display occurs on his new home ground following his move from Brisbane to Perth to be with his fiancée Jessica Bratich. Unfortunately for Johnson, his 11 wickets for the game can't stop South Africa from chasing down 414.

March 6-10, 2009 The green mamba

South Africa were the best batting side in the world when Johnson ripped into them in Durban. Three for 37 doesn't look much on the scorecard, but it was the innings he completed the journey from a kid with massive potential to being the real deal. While his removal of Hashim Amla and Neil McKenzie in his opening over was impressive, he highlighted his potency by fracturing a bone in Graeme Smith's hand for the second time in two months and split Jacques Kallis' chin. Jason Gillespie was impressed. "You break someone's hand, you send someone off to get stitches in their chin and you pick up a couple of important wickets - that's as intimidating as you can get."

His bowling had been world class and his batting was pretty good too. After two half-centuries, including an unbeaten 96, earlier in the series, he finished it with his first Test hundred in Cape Town. In home and away series he had been an all-round star, finishing with 33 wickets in six Tests.

July-August 2009 Ashes meltdown

Troubled by a public family argument and struggling with his technique, Johnson delivers his worst performance in a Test at Lord's. He has always had inconsistent moments, but he is unsure where the ball is heading as he returns 3 for 132 at more than a run a ball in the first innings. It is not until two Tests later in Leeds that he feels comfortable again, taking five wickets to seal the win.

March 27-31, 2010 Hamilton high

At the end of a long and productive summer, Johnson digs deep for one more effort and collects 10 wickets for the second time in his career. After taking 4 for 59 in the first innings in Hamilton, he backs up with 6 for 73 to secure the 2-0 series success. On a well deserved rest he covers his right arm in an intricate tattoo.